Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire

The sophomore release from violinist-singer-songwriter Andrew Bird is a well-polished mashup of a variety of styles. Bird takes gypsy jazz mixes, a little blues, adds his own stylized vocals and ends up with up with something close to modernized violin-heavy swing music. The instrumental, upbeat and energetic “Depression-Pasillo,” showcases Bird’s freewheeling violin work while “Glass Figurine” gives the listener a chance to hear Bird’s voice. Overall, the album is a unique sidestep away from the mainstream of popular music and succeeds in resurrecting a number of styles that are far too often overlooked.